Kieran Brookes is determined to leave Newcastle Falcons on a high note, having already pledged his future to Northampton.

The England prop has just three games remaining in a Falcons shirt, forming part of the side beaten 29-19 by Bath on Friday night.

Currently in his second spell at Kingston Park the Lancasterian is grateful to the club for rescuing his Premiership career after a move to Leicester saw him sliding down the pecking order.

Keen to repay that faith with victories over Gloucester, Sale and Harlequins in their Premiership run-in, Brookes said: “I am very keen to end on a positive, playing as well as I can and making a useful contribution.

“I just want to play as well as I can for the Falcons as a club, and for everyone who works here, to thank them for everything they have put into me.

“On a personal note, I want to push on into the England team, and so there is no shortage of motivation.”

Brookes came on from the bench in the majority of England’s Six Nations games, battling back from a hip-flexor strain to feature in the home win over France as they fell just a single try short of winning the Championship.

“Personally speaking it was nice to be involved in so many games,” he said, having taken his cap tally to 10.

“I felt I put in some decent performances, and I want to try to build on that.

“Hopefully if I am involved in the World Cup squad and the pre-season stuff I will have the chance to go from there.”

Backing England to make the most of a home World Cup as they gear up for the September showpiece, he said: “It is a very exciting time for rugby in England with the World Cup coming up, and I think we have a really good squad.

“Whoever they call up is going to be up to standard, it will be a massive test having a home World Cup, but everyone is really up for making the most of it.”

The Falcons have already recruited to fill the gap left by Brookes’ departure, with Scotland prop Jon Welsh, Tongan international Taione Vea and Leeds youngster Ben Harris drafted in for next season.